MARCH 2011 NEWSLETTER
Greetings,
For a couple of months we were relatively prompt preparing newsletter issues, but spring fever seems to have caught up…or maybe it was the agony of readying our taxes.
 BUBBLE CLINOMETER - This is a bubble type clinometer, made by John L. Cheney in Wisconsin, which has a liquid filled curved glass tube. It is marked on the face “Model IV”. (The Model III also carried the date 1942).It is in excellent condition and is unique in that it has an engraved brass plate Marked “Lykes Lines”.Lykes was a major U.S. flag cargo liner owner, which acquired about 40 ships after the war, so this clinometer was likely aboard one of those ships as Cheney made clinometers in WWII. It has a black plastic base and brass fittings and wide. It is rare to combine a WW II era artifact with one from a famed United States flagged shipping line with a proud past. It is priced at $130.
 OLD STYLE NAVY BATTLE LANTERN - We have a number of old Navy battle lanterns, that are made of cast brass bases and tops, and sheet brass sides and solid posts. The front opens by sliding a sheet brass door, and a similar door opens on the bottom to allow downward light. They are electrified with conventional bases, although due to their age, a qualified electrician should inspect these bases. They have the usual inspection mark on the top. They have a brass bale to hang them up. We couldn’t find any people who had seen these lamps in use, but the curator of battleship USS TEXAS (BB-35) said that there are many aboard, and most were in the secondary battery, 5” guns. Although serving proudly during WW II, USS TEXAS was built before WW I and is the last of the dreadnaughts. The lanterns are $210, as is, or $240 if the patina or green paint is removed. We do not buff the metal or apply any lacquer.
 LIFEBOAT LAMPS - We often forget these lamps but they are very presentable in that they have brass frames, an oil lamp and a large glass globe. The glass is a shape sometimes referred to as “pot-bellied”. These are usable for patio or pool lighting because they do not a fresnel lens. Lights with fresnel lens can be seen for great distances, but you’d be hard pressed read a newspaper right next to them. They are about 13” high without the bale and made by Nippon Sento, from Japan. They are priced at $150.
 CHINESE NAVIGATION LIGHTS - Some time ago we received a set of Chinese made electric navigation lights. They do not have the character of the old style oil lamps, but would enhance a restaurant or bar or an outdoor patio with authentic marine lights and are much more economical than brass or copper. The set is comprised of port and starboard lights and masthead and stern, and are about 9“ high. They are made of steel, and are priced at $65.
 DOOR HARDWARE - We have a number of old heavy brass door locks, including the handles, etc. These came from tugs that are being scrapped. These are not the typical door hardware found in your home, but really heavy duty pieces. They do not have keys, but with an interior door, a key is not always necessary. They are priced at $45.
 USN ANCHOR WINDLASS WHEEL - This wheel that came from USS BIDDLE(CG34) scrapped by Metro Machine several years ago. These ships used vertical drive windlasses as opposed to the usual horizontal axis windlasses on merchant ships. With Navy ships the machinery is below deck, but the control wheel is topside and really controls the braking of the windlass. You really don’t want to see the anchor chain whipping out of the chain locker and all of it going over the side. It is brass that has been stripped and is about 16” diam. and weighs about 20#.& It is priced at $115.
 U.S. NAVY QUARTERMASTERS TELESCOPES - We have two telescopes in their solid oak cases. The wooden cases have been restored to original beauty. One telescope was made by Hayward and is professionally wrapped with line – probably original. It is marked “US Navy Spyglass Quartermaster Mk II 16 power 1942” and weighs (without case) just under 5 lbs. Typically these telescopes are heavy and awkward to hold, but the aluminum makes it is easier to handle. The other telescope is made of brass and covered with a leatherette finish. Although no manufacturer name is inscribed, it is engraved “U.S. Navy Bu. Ships QM. 16 power Mk I …1942”. The original leatherette has been restored and it weighs slightly over 6 lbs. Optics of both are good. Each telescope is 31” in. long and has no draw. They are priced at $425 each.
 NAVY MULTIPURPOSE PORTABLE SIGNAL LIGHT - These are basically used for shipboard, aircraft or shore use, as they are set up for either 110V or battery power, although we do not have the battery. They have a pistol grip trigger shutter control and a honeycomb front end to direct the ray. They have colored filters. Each steel case has the raised letters “USN” and provides a stand to mount the light on top of the case. They are painted flat black and are in excellent condition. They are each priced at $125.
METAL CLEANER, POLISH AND LACQUER - When asked “how do you clean and maintain brass and silver?” we can only say what works for us. We use and make available the following:
Metal Polish per tube $9.95
Metal Cleaner per spray bottle $11.00
Lacquer Type Spray Can $19.95
NOTES:
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE CHANGED TO: martifacts@gmail.com and no longer have the old Comcast address.
When we write about items in the newsletter or when you find items on the website, it does not imply that there is a quantity available. In most cases we have only one. Sometimes months after people have seen an item, they call and we can only say that it has been sold some time earlier. If you see something of interest, drop a line or give us a call at 904-645-0150 Depending on the hour, you might get our old-fashioned, in-house answering machine but chances are you will get a human.
If you have any questions please send an email to us at info@martifacts.com or martifacts@gmail.com. For copies of earlier newsletters, please send an email and we will forward them.
Prices vary depending on our acquisition cost and condition. Prices stated in earlier issues of the newsletter may not apply to similar items mentioned in later newsletters.
If you screen your email to eliminate spam, please check to see that Martifacts newsletters are allowed.
We can now accept payment via PAYPAL, after advising shipping costs, etc. Paypal payment is to be made via martifacts@aol.com. Remember that any sales made in the state of Florida are subject to sales tax, which is 7% for Duval County.
Best regards,
Ray Newman |
|
|
